Sport

UP fans liken underdog Maroons to Slam Dunk's Shohoku

MANILA, Philippines – Are you familiar with the anime and manga series “Slam Dunk?” You definitely had that “childhood life” if you tuned in to the television right after you take off your school uniform.

For some fans, the similarities between University of the Philippines and the manga's protagonist team Shohoku are quite obvious.

After the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles bested the Fighting Maroons in Game Two of the UAAP Finals Wednesday, 99-81, the UP community took to Twitter and expressed their support for their school.

In the anime, Shohoku is the underdog throughout the season, the same as UP in its series against the Blue Eagles. On the other hand, defending champion Ateneo is most likely the Kainan in this battle, with both being powerhouse teams.

For context, Kuroko [no Basket] is also an anime series about basketball. But for this UP fan, this Finals series is definitely an episode of Slam Dunk.

ok but watching this game feels like watching anime– not quite like kuroko, but uh maybe idk... slam dunk?? esp the part where im rooting for previously underdogs to take home the bacon with hardwork, teamwork, passion and immense support from their homeland ooof ? #UPFight ?????

This supporter is ecstatic for the next season, naming prized rookie recruit Kobe Paras as [Hanamichi] Sakuragi, the main protagonist in Slam Dunk. Ricci Rivero, a former De La Salle University star, will also suit up for the Maroons next year.